Rec league players, high school all-stars, seasoned pros—every football player can benefit from the extra protection of a girdle.
But what is a football girdle used for besides extra padding? Which type should you add to your kit? How do you keep it from stinking to high heaven?
Here’s everything you need to know about the football girdle: a must-have piece of protective equipment.
What is a Football Girdle?
Among the different types of football pads, girdles are the unsung heroes. Worn under football pants, girdles provide additional impact protection and (when fitted well) comfort, thanks to two key features:
- Extra pads – Girdles are designed to protect key areas—like the hips, thighs, and tailbone—from impact during tackles or falls.1 While different girdle designs feature their own pad configurations (more on this later), every girdle’s primary purpose is to provide extra padding on the lower half of the body.
- Compression fabric – On non-padded areas, girdles are typically made from compression fabric so they can sit as close to the skin as possible. This holds the pads close to your body and ensures peak mobility. But compression doesn’t equal restriction; girdles should be form-fitting, but not too tight to move in.
Key Benefits of Wearing a Football Girdle
When deciding what to wear under football pads, you might be hesitant to add yet another item to your kit. But when it comes to girdles, the added weight is worth it for the benefits:
- Extra protection against impact – QBs get sacked. Receivers dive to complete passes. Linemen take (and dish out) tackles to protect their teammates. Special teams players aren’t immune to impacts, either.
Tackle football is a contact-intensive sport, and players need all the help they can get to protect against potential injuries. A girdle is just one piece of the protective equipment puzzle, but it’s one that can provide substantial impact absorption.
- Enhanced mobility and comfort – Girdles offer a snug, comfortable fit. Since they’re typically made from compression fabric, they allow players to move freely without restrictions. Since they’re worn under football pants, they can even ease friction between your pants and your skin, ensuring smoother movement during critical plays.
Types of Football Girdles
There are a few different types of girdles on today’s equipment market:
- Standard girdles – Standard girdles are knee-length shorts with five pockets: one on the tailbone, two on each hip, and two on the front of each thigh. While some products may have pads included, these pads are removable and swappable.
- Integrated girdles – Integrated girdles have the pads sewn into the fabric. The padding areas are the same: one tailbone, two thigh, and two hip pads. However, players can’t remove or swap out the pads.
- Combination/hybrid girdles – Some girdles feature a hybrid or combination design: Some of the pads are sewn in, while others can be removed or swapped. These aren’t as common as the two standard options above, but they exist.
- Compression girdles – Girdles don’t have to be padded—they can offer compression alone. However, for most tackle football applications, players stand to benefit from the extra protection of padded designs.
How to Choose the Right Football Girdle
So, we’ve answered the central question: “What is a football girdle used for?” But with so many options to choose from, you might still be wondering how to pick the model that’s right for your kit, position, and play style.
- Focus on fit – Your girdle needs to fit snugly without restricting movement. However, the pads also need to be positioned correctly—ideally, in areas where you take the heaviest hits. As you try on different designs, move around in them: take a lap, crouch jump, or even take a dive onto the grass. Your girdle should allow you to move normally without moving itself.
- Look for peak padding – Girdles offer extra protection—but only if they feature enough padding in the right places. As you explore your options, look for models with ample padding in the thighs and hips. If you wear a backplate, tailbone padding might be redundant; however, if you don’t wear a backplate, prioritize tailbone padding when choosing a girdle. Padding considerations are especially important for adults shopping for kids: Girdles are a must-have item on any youth football equipment list.
Also, consider whether or not you want a standard design (with removable pads) or an integrated model (with pads sewn in). While the former can offer some customization potential (like adding thicker pads if needed), the latter is definitely more convenient: integrated girdles are ready right out of the box.
Proper Care and Maintenance
With minor attention, your girdle can last a whole season—but with special care and maintenance, you can extend its lifespan even further. We recommend:
- Proper washing and drying – Like most washable football gear, girdles should be washed cold and hung to dry. High temperatures (from hot water and dryers) can degrade synthetic fabrics over time.2
- Wear and tear checks – Before donning your girdle (or any of your football gear), check for signs of damage: torn seams, wear marks, padding that’s past its prime. All of these can interfere with function. While some wear and tear can be mended with a needle and thread, some (like worn-out pads) warrant replacement.
Gear Up with Battle Sports Football Girdles
What is a football girdle used for? Enhanced impact protection and improved mobility. And while it may not be drippy, the girdle is a key piece of any kit—no matter your age or level.
Looking for top-notch protection and comfort? Check out Battle Sports football girdles. Integrated with hip, tailbone, and thigh pads and made with quality compression fabric, this girdle was made for hard hits and explosive movement.
Round out your kit with Battle Sports: Your source for player-approved football gear.
Sources:
- How Stuff Works. How NFL Equipment Works. https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/fb-equip.htm#pt9
- Sustainability Directory. How Does Heat Affect Different Fabric Types?. https://fashion.sustainability-directory.com/question/how-does-heat-affect-different-fabric-types/